The Chinese shipyard Yangzhou Dingheng of China Merchants Industry began the construction of two conventional fuel supply vessels for Petroineos Lavéra, an oil company that will renew its operating fleet in the areas of Fos, Marseille and Toulon.
Partners for more than 34 years, Petroineos and Maritima, a subsidiary of the Sogestran group, indicated their intention to launch “vessels capable of providing conventional fuel supply and being prepared to refuel with low-carbon fuels (B24, B100, HVO, e-Methanol)”.
According to both companies, “the vessels, capable of simultaneously transporting three different products with a load capacity of 4,500 m³, will benefit from dual certification: oil and chemicals. Their design has been specifically developed to optimize access to the docks of the Lavéra refinery”.
“Their propulsion will be diesel-electric, powered by three electronically managed generators to minimize consumption according to the vessel’s needs.” Regarding the crew’s quality of life, it is stated that “the vessels will benefit from all modern comforts: cabins and private bathrooms, gym,” the firms detailed.
Meanwhile, the Yangzhou Dingheng shipyard was selected after a bidding, study and selection process that lasted almost two years. Petroineos stated that an audit was carried out to ensure the respect of workers’ fundamental rights in its operations.
According to current projections, the completion of the first vessel is scheduled for November 2026 with a launch in 2027 and delivery in early 2028.
